A record average for ram lambs was achieved at the Northern Irish National Texel Sale at Ballymena, when 189 cashed in at £1508.17.
A trio of lambs sold for the joint top price of 10,000gns, with the first being the pre-sale champion, Forkins Hawkeye from Alastair Gault. This son of the 100,000gns Strathbogie Gypsy King is out of a dam by Sportsmans Dare Devil and sold in a five-way split to James Wilkinson, Ballygroogan; John Trimble, Curley; Adrian Liggett, Corbo; Philip Whyte, Innisrush and Stanley and Martin Warnock, Straidarran.
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Another by the same sire, Drumcon Hall of Fame from Jonny Cubitt, made the same money when selling to Stephen Etherson, Killans, with a half share retained by the breeder. He is bred from Rhaeadr dam by Teiglum Younggun and is a maternal brother to the 160,000gns Rhaeadr First Choice.
Mr Cubitt also received 10,000gns for Drumcon History Maker, from Douganhill Farms, Douganhill and Nick Legge, Thornbury. Another by Gypsy King, this lamb is out of another Rhaeadr-bred dam, by Garngour Envoy II and is again from the same family as the 160,000gns First Choice.
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The pre-sale judge, John Greene of the Larahirl flock, Co Donegal, purchased his reserve champion, Lynbrook Hercules, from Ivanna Strawbridge at 6000gns. Another sired by Gypsy King, he is out of a dam by Strathbogie Dirty Dancer.
At 5500gns, Mark Priestley sold Seaforde Hezza Lord, an Auldhouseburn Gazza son out of a Knap-bred dam by Sportsmans Cannon Ball, to James Dunn, Belturbet, Co Cavan.
Also making 5500gns was Drumderg Hitman from Alistair Breen. He is by Hilltop Golden Eye and out of an Oberstown-bred dam by Rhaeadr Entrepreneur. and He was the pick of Frank Clewer, Bluehill.
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Shearling rams peaked at 4000gns for Artnagullion Godfather from Brian and William McAllister. This son of Blackadder Doddie is out of a dam by Midlock Yohann. Second in his class at the pre-sale show, he was knocked down to AJ Robinson, Downpatrick, Co Down.
Next best at 3600gns was Henry Gamble’s first prize shearling, Springwell GI, a Ballydesland Eddie son, bought by T Hynes, Rathfriland, Newry.
Gimmers were topped at 7500gns by the female champion from Mark Priestley's Seaforde flock. Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Muirkirk, was the final bidder on this Coniston Equinox daughter out of a Knap-bred dam by Sportsmans Cannon Ball.
Martin McConville, Glenhone, sold a gimmer by Sportsmans Dare Devil for 3000gns to WM Doherty, Glebe, Co Donegal.
Auctioneers: J A McClelland and Sons.
Averages: 189 ram lambs, £1509.17; 66 shearling rams, £1399.20; 13 gimmers, £1530.58
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